Injured Bracken out of VB Series opener

Nathan Bracken: one more injured Australian fast bowler © AFP

A hip injury has ruled Nathan Bracken out of Australia's squad for the opening VB Series game against India on Friday. Bracken strained a muscle in his left hip while fielding in the last Test against India at Sydney. He was replaced by Brad Williams in the 13-man squad for the first few matches of the series, according to AAP, an Australian news agency.

Bracken, who played 14 games over a period of three years, commented: "Obviously I am disappointed ... I am hopeful that the injury can heal quickly."

He's in luck. The official line was that it wasn't a bad injury. "It is not a major injury," said Errol Alcott, Australia's physiotherapist. "We're confident that he will improve quickly."

Bracken's injury followed in the wake of a spate of injuries that have plagued Australia's fast bowlers recently. In the last year, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, and now Bracken, have found themselves out of the team due to injury. Glenn McGrath, Australia's leading fast bowler, has not bowled a ball in international cricket since July, following ankle surgery.